My heart beat faster when I heard her walking down the hallway...her high heels clicking on the all-wood floors. Perspiration soaked my forehead and palms as I sunk deeper into my hiding spot...a darkened hall closet just off from the master bedroom. Her collection of keys jingled just outside the door of the luxurious apartment as she searched for the right one for the lock. I tried to control my anxious breaths as I heard the door open, then close behind her.
I had left the closet door ajar initially to allow fresh air to enter, and now it offered an unobstructed view down the hall into the dimly lit living room. I leaned forward carefully, trying to catch a glimpse of her, but to no avail. Perhaps she had headed towards the kitchen. I licked at my dry lips.
My thoughts were confirmed when I heard the refrigerator door open and close...then the freezer door. The cabinet doors were next. I heard the water turn on, followed by the brief grind of the disposal, then silence again.
I leaned forward again, peeking through the little opening. Finally...there she stood.
Her long blonde hair was pulled tightly back and tied in a neat little bun atop her head. Her beautifully sculptured face showed no emotion. The dark blue blazer over a white lacy top coupled with the matching blue skirt cut modestly just above her knees offered a very professional look. Her long tan legs...smooth as silk. And bare feet! She had obviously removed her shoes β just guessing as to avoid tracking any dirt.
As she stood there examining some paperwork on a clipboard she held, I could see her toes squirming and scrunching through the soft plush white carpet...like a child enjoying the feel of bare feet in grass.
And then she disappeared β walking out of my field of vision.
"SWOOSH!!" The living room curtains were thrown open and sunlight filled the empty, spacious room and part of the hall way. I crouched back into the dark corner of my place, clutching my bag of goodies against my chest.
She quickly reappeared β this time coming straight down the hall towards me. My heart skipped a beat and time froze as she reached for the closet door...but she gently pushed it closed as she continued towards the master bedroom.
My head began to pound in rhythm with my heart...it was almost time. I knew she would be showing this apartment today. And I knew she always showed up an hour early to go over her check list and make sure everything was in order for the potential clients. If I waited too long there wouldn't be enough time.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve then reached into my bag. Ski mask...leather gloves...roll of duct-tape. I heard her flick a few light switches then turn the water on and off in the bathroom sinks...then the shower...then the tub. With the sound of the tub water running I ripped off about a foot-long piece of tape and cupped it in my hand. The water turned off. I slowly leaned forward and gripped the inside door handle.
My heart began to beat faster than ever...the heat of the closed closet and the ski mask was almost unbearable...my adrenalin was flowing...and I heard her feet padding past the closet door.
"WHAM!" The closet door slammed against the back wall as I leapt from my hiding place...grabbing her from behind before she could even turn around...one strong arm wrapped around her waist while the hand with the tape smacked against her face...the tape plastered expertly across her mouth...
Her knees buckled under my impact and we tumbled to the floor just at the edge of the living room...her arms and legs swinging and kicking frantically...muffled screams...
I managed to get her on her stomach with one hand gripping the back of her neck, holding her face to the carpet...one knee pressing against the small of her back to hold her down...the other knee on the back of her thighs in a feeble attempt to keep her legs from moving...
I grabbed for the roll of tape. Holding the end in place with my thumb of the hand holding her neck, I wrapped the tape around her head to cover her eyes and mouth...once...twice...a third time for good luck...
A stray arm swing caught me in my side almost knocking me off balance. I quickly swung around so I was sitting on her ass and forcefully pulled her hands behind her back. More tape around her wrists.
Her fight began to subside. Blind, muffled and bound left her little choice. Only an occasional swing of her leg had her heel hitting my back. I leaned forward, my hand again on the back of her neck, and whispered.
"Don't fight it, my precious. It'll only make things worse."
"Mmnnggfff-oooo...MMNNGGFFF-OOOO..."
The duct tape held firm against her muffled cries. I wasn't sure what she was saying (or calling me) but it didn't matter. I pressed harder against the back of her neck...pushing her face harder into the carpet. Leaning down I whispered with a little more authority.
"I said don't fight it, precious."
The tenseness in her body faded...her legs stopped kicking...she stopped squirming beneath me. Her only movements came as she quietly wept behind the tape.
I loosened the grip behind her neck, allowing her to turn her head so her nose wasn't buried in the carpet, and I shifted off her ass but kept one knee pressing firmly in the small of her back β the other knee on the floor beside her.